Electrical connector block for wiring duct



Jan. 28, 1969 e. s. WALTER ET AL 3,425,022 ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR BLOCK FOR WIRING DUCT Filed'Aug. 10, 1966 a r. smmww f m W mwmfw W n u m /M e d? 0 IIIILL IIHL Mm iullivt. IIIIIIIIIII- I III!!! United States Patent 3,425,022 ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR BLOCK FOR WIRING DUCT Gerard S. Walter and John Hagan, Hampton Township,

Allegheny County, Pa. (both Walter Electrical Manufacturing Co., 640 Butler St., Pittsburgh, Pa. 15223) Filed Aug. 10, 1966, Ser. No. 571,629 US. Cl. 339-22 Claims Int. Cl. H01r 13/60 ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE The present invention pertains to electrical connection or splicing blocks and more particularly to connectors of the character described which can be closely fitted in a wiring duct for retention therein "but provided with spacing means for continuous, "by-passing conductors eX- tending through said duct.

The invention is especially adapted for joining the very large or heavy electric conductors which are usually confined in a duct or wiring trough.

Previously, it has been the practice to join such heavy conductors of a multiple wire circuit at longitudinally spaced locations along the length of the trough owing to the confining lateral dimensions thereof. In such instances, splicing members referred to in the trade as bugs have been employed to join or splice the ends of the respective conductors in the circuit. Since the bugs are conductive a liberal amount of electrical insulating tape must be wound therea'bout which is time consuming and which obviously cannot ensure the application of a controlled amount of insulation in this fashion. Moreover the insulating tape frequently deteriorates or otherwise is loosened through age or vibration or unusual moisture conditions or the like with loss of insulating properties.

In other prior arrangements, the metallic bugs or splicing connectors are mounted upon a block of insulating material which in turn is mounted in the trough. However, because of the limitations imposed by the trough opening the insulating block could not carry more than one or two splicing connectors. However, because of the limited trough opening the insulating block could not be closely fitted into the trough with the result that vibration and displacement thereof occured, together with loosening of the conductors secured therein.

It has been proposed, of course, to mount the insulating block on a wall of the trough, but this arrangement suffers from the disadvantages of requiring additional labor and hardware, as well as necessitating additional unsightly projections along the length of the trough and the requirement of additional electrical insulation for the mountinghardware. Another deficiency of such arrangement is the fact that it is diflicult to lay very large or stiff conductors to be spliced in the splicing block after the latter has been inserted into the trough. With the insulating block mounted in this fashion, inadequate space remains for the passage of electric conductors in bypassing relation to the connection block.

We overcome these present difficulties of the prior art by providing an electrical connection block which is 3,425,022 Patented Jan. 28, 1969 so shaped that it can be inserted in closely fitted relationship relative to at least a pair of opposed side walls of the wiring duct or trough.

The configuration of the insulating block, which has the splicing connectors insulatingly fitted therein, in such that the block can be inserted in one position through the narrowed opening of the duct or trough and then turned approximately to the aforementioned closely fitting relationship. In furtherance of this purpose, the block is pivotally mounted upon -a bridging member, which additionally spaces the insulating block from an adjacent wall of the duct or trough to provide adequate space for any by-passing conductors mounted in the trough. 'The bridging member desirably is constructed from a thin structural material such as sheet steel to minimize the space occupied by the bridging member. One or more bugs or connectors mounted on the insulating block can be opened either before or after the block is inserted to facilitate the laying of the conductors to be spliced or otherwise connected therein.

The insulating block thus is retained against displacement or vibration within the trough by engagement with opposing side walls of the trough and desirably also by the lip portion of the trough adjacent the trough opening, described more fully hereinafter.

In the foregoing discussion numerous objects, features and advantages of the invention have been alluded to. These and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be elaborated upon during the forthcoming description of certain presently preferred embodiments of the invention together with presently preferred methods of practicing the same.

In the accompanying drawings we have shown certain presently preferred embodiments of the invention and presently preferred methods of practicing the same, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is an isometric View of the splicing block and bridging member of the invention shown in exemplary operative position in a typical wiring trough, with portions broken away to show the invention more clearly;

FIGURE 2 is a cross sectional view of the trough shown in FIGURE 1 taken along reference line II of FIGURE 3 and showing the connection block and bridging member partly in cross-section;

FIGURE 3 is a top plan view of the apparatus as shown in FIGURE 1 with parts broken away to show the invention more clearly; and

FIGURE 4 is a reduced plan view of the apparatus as shown in FIGURE 3 showing the insertion and location of the connection block on the bridging member prior to pivoting the block to its operative position.

Referring now to the drawings with greater particularity, the exemplary arrangement of the invention as shown therein includes an electrical connection apparatus denoted generally by reference character 10 and arranged in accordance with the invention for closely fitted insertion into an electrical duct or wiring trough 12. The trough 12 is provided with an upper opening 14 which is delineated by a pair of inwardly and laterally disposed lip portions 16 extending respectively along the upper edges (as viewed in FIGURES l and 2) of opposed side Walls 18 of the trough 12. The lips 16 are employed for securance of the trough cover 20 in the conventional manner.

The connection apparatus 10 includes an insulating block 22 fabricated from a suitable insulating material such as a phenolic resin although it will be noted that other suitable insulating materials can be employed as desired. In this arrangement of the invention, the insulating block 22 is divided into a plurality of compartments 24 with three such compartments being formed in this example of the invention. Obviously, the number of such compartments 24 can be varied depending upon the com ponent leads or conductors of a given electrical circuit.

In this example, a conductive splicing connector or bug 26 is insulatingly inserted into each of the compartments 24 and desirably secured therein by frictional engagement in recessed ways 27 thereof as better shown in FIGURE 3 of the drawings. The connectors 26 can be formed as described and claimed in a copending application of applicants entitled, Apparatus for Joining Electrical Cables, filed Feb. 19, 1965, Ser. No. 433,985, and in a continuation-in-part application by the same applicants having the same title, filed Jan. 11, 1966, Ser. No. 532,023. It will be understood of course that other connectors can be similarly secured in the compartments 24, as required by a given application of the invention.

The compartments 24 are separated by a suitable number of upstanding partitions 28, which are thinned at their free end portions 30, in this example, to permit insertion of the bridge and clamp members 32 of the connectors 26. Similarly, end walls 34 of the insulating block 22 are similarly thinned at their end portions as denoted by their reference characters 36.

The bottom wall structure 38 as viewed in the drawings, is provided in this example with a generally centrally disposed pivot means 40. The pivot means 40 which can be a downwardly projecting circular stud is thus shaped for relatively closely fitting engagement in a complementarily shaped opening 42, as better shown in FIGURES l and 2 of the bridging member 44. The insulating block 22 thus is pivotally mounted upon the upper or bridging wall 46 of the bridging member 44. It will be understood that the locations of the stud 40 and opening or recess 42 can be relatively interchanged so that the stud 40 is formed upwardly on the bridging member 44 and the recess 42 in the block 22.

In this example the bridging member is of sufiicient height to provide sufiicient space 48 for passage of bypassing conductors such as the conductors 50 and 52. However, the flush engagement of the bottom wall 38 of the insulating block 22 with the bridging wall 46 is such that the intermediate portions of the bridging wall 46 carries little or none of the weight of the connection block or of the conductors 54 mounted therein. Rather, substantially all of such weight is borne by the spaced end walls 56 of the bridging member.

The height of such end walls 56 in addition to defining the by-passing space or area 48 is also such that the upper ends 58 of the insulating block end walls 34 are desirably seated fiushly against the under surfaces of the lips 16. Such engagement of the trough lips 16 and the end walls 34 of the splicing block operates to prevent displacement or vibration of the connection apparatus 10 in the vertical direction, as viewed in the drawings, i.e., in a direction transverse to the plane of the trough opening 14. Accordingly, it is not necessary to bolt or otherwise secure the insulating block 22 to the trough 12 or to the bridging member 44 although the latter can be accomplished if desired by means of apertured lugs 60 formed integrally in this example with the insulating block 22. Suitable metal tapping screws, for example, can be inserted through the lugs 60 for securance to apertures 61 disposed in the bridging member 44 and desirably located to define the operative, transverse position of the block 22 relative to the trough 12, as shown in FIGURE 3.

As shown in FIGURES 3 and 4 of the drawings, it will be apparent that the insulating block 22 is so shaped that it can be turned approximately a quarter turn relative to its position as shown in FIGURE 2 for facile insertion with adequate clearance through the trough opening 14. When making such insertion it will be appreciated that the long axis of the insulating block 22 will be generally aligned with the longitudinal axis of the wiring trough 12 (FIGURE 4). Before making such insertion the bridging member 44 likewise is inserted into the opening 14 and, owing to its flexibility and clearances 62 provided between its end walls 56 and the trough side walls 18 can be forced with little effort into a position transversely of the trough 12. The splicing block after insertion aforesaid is then lowered onto the bridging member 44 and the block pivot 40 is inserted into the bridging member aperture 42. The connection block 10 is then rotated to its transverse position as shown in FIGURE 2 such that the outer extremities of its end walls 34 contact and engage securely the adjacent portions of the trough side walls 18.

In furtherance of this purpose the outer surfaces of the insulating block end walls are rounded as denoted by reference characters 64 (FIGURES 1, 3 and 4). Desirably, the radii of curvature of the rounded surfaces 64 are equal to the distance between such surfaces and the pivot axis 66 of the insulating block 22 as better shown in FIGURE 3. This arrangement ensures that the rounded wall portions 64 of the insulating block 22 will remain in physical contact with the side walls 18 of the trough 12, within the arcuate limits of the rounded ends 64 of the block 22, despite pivotal misalignment of the insulating block 22 relative to a transverse axis of the trough, although, normally, the stiffness of the conductors 54 after mounting in the conection apparatus 10 will prevent the insulating block 22 from turning about its pivot projection 40. This arrangement also spaces the bridging member 44 equidistantly from the side walls 18 of the trough so that, if desired, sound insulating material such as foamed plastic or the like can be inserted into the clearances 62. With this arrangement lateral or transverse displacement or vibration of the connection apparatus 10 relative to the trough side Walls 18 is prevented. As discussed previously, displacement or vibration in a vertical direction, as viewed in the drawings, is prevented by engagement of the end wall ends 58 of the connection apparatus 10 with the trough lips 16.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that novel and efficient forms of electrical connection apparatus have been disclosed herein. While the apparatus has been shown in connection with an electrical wiring trough of a particular configuration and has been arranged for a particular number of electric circuit conductors, it will be obvious that the invention is not so limited. Accordingly, while We have shown and described certain presently preferred embodiments of the invention and have illustrated certain presently preferred methods of practicing the same, it is to be distinctly understood that the invention is not limited thereto but may be otherwise variously embodied and practiced within the scope of the following claims.

We claim:

1. Electrical connection apparatus for use in a wiring trough and the like, said apparatus comprising a compartmented insulating block, electrical connector means mounted in said block, a bridging member substantially coextending with said block, and means for mounting said block on said bridging member, said block and said bridging member being shaped for relatively closely fitting insertion into said trough, said insulating block being elongated and the outer end wall surfaces thereof being rounded and spaced so that the long axis of said block can be generally aligned with the axis of a restricted opening of said trough for insertion therein and thereafter turned transversely of said trough to bring said rounded wall surfaces into closely fitting engagement with opposed wall surfaces of said trough at the operative position of said block.

2. The combination according to claim 1 wherein said block is pivotally mounted on said bridging member to facilitate turning and positioning said block into said closely fitting engagement with said trough.

3. The combination according to claim 2 wherein said pivot mounting is disposed centrally between said rounded end wall surfaces and the radii of curvature of said rounded end wall surfaces are each equal to the distance between the axis of said pivot mounting and said surfaces whereby pivotal misalignment of said block relative to the transverse axis of said trough and within the arcuate limits of said rounded wall surfaces continues said closely fitting engagement thereof with said opposed trough walls.

4. Electrical connection apparatus comprising a compartmented insulating block, a number of electrical conductors mounted in insulated relationship within said block, a bridging member extending substantially across the width of said trough to provide a passageway for additional conductors bypassing said first-mentioned conductors, said trough having an opening defined by a pair of spaced longitudinally extending lip portions, said block being pivotally mounted on said bridging member and having a pair of end walls of suflicient height and space so that pivotal movement of said block seats the edges of said end Walls against said lip members respectively to prevent displacement of said block and said bridging member transversely of the plane of said opening.

5. The combination according to claim 4 wherein said end walls are rounded and are spaced for closely fitted engagement with the adjacent said side walls of said trough so that displacement of said block and said bridging member transversely of said side Walls is prevented.

'6. The combination according to claim 5 wherein apertured lug means are formed on said insulating block and are alignable with aperture means formed therefor in the adjacent bridging wall of said bridging member at a preselected rotational position of said block relative to said bridging member.

7. Electrical connection apparatus for use in a wiring trough and the like, said apparatus comprising a compartmented insulating block, electrical connector means mounted in said block, a bridging member substantially coextending with said block, and means for mounting said block on said bridging member, said block and said bridging member being shaped for relatively closely fitting insertion into said trough, said insulating block having a pair of spaced end walls projecting oppositely from said bridging member and outwardly of the adjacent portions of said connector, said trough being provided with an opening defined by a pair of laterally spaced longitudi nally extending lip members, portions of said bridging member being extended toward a wall of said trough spaced from said lip members, and said block being movably mounted thereon so that said block can be turned to seat said end walls against said lip members respectively.

8. Electrical connection apparatus for use in a wiring trough and the like, said apparatus comprising a compartmented insulating block electrical connector means mounted in said block, a bridging member subtsantially coextending with said block, and means for mounting said block on said bridging member, said block and said bridging member being shaped for relatively closely fitting insertion into said trough, and said trough being provided with a pair of laterally spaced lip members extending longitudinally thereof and defining a trough opening, said block being mounted on said bridging member and having end walls spaced and rounded so that said insulating block can be turned on said bridging member to bring said end walls into closely fitted engagement with opposed side walls respectively of said trough.

9. Electrical connection apparatus for use in a wiring trough and the like, said apparatus comprising an elongated compartmented insulating block, electrical connector means mounted in said block, and means for pivotally mounting said block within said trough, said block having end walls spaced and rounded so that said insulating block can be turned on said mounting means to bring said end walls into closely fitted engagement with opposed side walls respectively of said trough.

10. The combination according to claim 1 wherein the pivot axis of said mounting means is equidistant from points on said rounded surfaces so that said closely fitted engagement is maintained during pivotal movement of said block within the arcuate limits of said surfaces.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 282,010 7/1883 Putnam l7499 XR 2,288,941 7/1942 Curtis l7499 XR 2,569,223 9/ 1951 Bowers. 3,325,128 6/ 1967 Elleboudt.

FOREIGN PATENTS 736,704 5/ 1943 Germany. 692,707 6/ 1953 Great Britain.

MARVIN A. CHAMPION, Primary Examiner.

P. A. CLIFFORD, Assistant Examiner.

U.S. Cl. X.R. 

